Le premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a collection of physical and emotional symptoms that usually occur 2 to 7 days before your period (sometimes up to 14 days). They usually end with the onset of your period or within a few days of it.

The most common symptoms are a fatigue pronounced, the sensitive breasts and swollen, a swelling du lower abdomen, headaches and irritability.

The intensity of symptoms and their duration vary greatly from woman to woman.

How many women affected?

Almost 75% of fertile women experience mild symptoms the day before or around the time of their period, such as mild uterine cramps. This does not prevent them from continuing their normal activities and it is, all in all, not very inconvenient. Of 20% to 30% of women have symptoms severe enough to interfere with their daily activities³⁸.

Le premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PDD) refers to a premenstrual syndrome whose psychological manifestations are very pronounced. It would affect 2% to 6% of women³⁸.

Diagnostic

The criteria to diagnose premenstrual syndrome have long remained ill-defined. A new classification from the International Society for Premenstrual Disorders (ISPMD) clarifies the situation. Thus, it has been established that in order to make a diagnosis of PMS, the symptoms must have appeared during the majority of menstrual cycles of the past year. In addition, symptoms should be completely absent for at least 1 week per month.

Some situations can at first glance be confused with PMS, such as premenopause and depression.

Causes

The exact causes of this phenomenon are still poorly understood. We know that the premenstrual syndrome is related toovulation and the menstrual cycle. One of the explanations is the hormonal fluctuation typical of the second part of the menstrual cycle: while the secretion ofestrogen decrease, that of the progesterone increases, then falls in turn in the absence of pregnancy. Estrogen causes breast swelling and fluid retention, which progesterone normally alleviates. However, if there is excess estrogen or insufficient progesterone, painful tension occurs in the breasts. In addition, the fluctuations of these 2 hormones are perceived by the brain and can explain the psychological symptoms. There could also be a fluctuation of neurotransmitters in the brain (serotonin, in particular), following hormonal fluctuations in the menstrual cycle.